The Evans Family: NIGHTMARE!

Today has been a nightmare. We decided to lay some flowers on Philly's grave this morning. This turned out to be a massive mistake. Everyone seemed to be there at the graveside! The road running around the graveside is only big enough to get one car around at one time. There were a load of cars, and no where to turn. We drove right up to where Philly was buried and decided to turn down a country road to either turn around or find somewhere to park. When we finally turned around and headed back up, a massive truck had parked up and blocked our exit. We were stuck! So we swapped driving seats and i had to reverse all the way back to turn again to get out. Never again will we go to the grave on Christmas Eve. None of us were in the spirit of it either.

When we got to the main road, i had to buy one more picture frame for tomorrow, so we drove to Tesco for the car to completely die on us. This is in the Pug. It would not start at all. It started to rain, we were just off a main roundabout and had no RAC cover at all. I was so gutted. I felt utterly helpless. Especially as Jared was freaking out at me as i had decided to buy the car. The first thing i did was ring RAC and sign up. I stupidly said we were stuck on the road side so she said it would cost an £85 call out fee on top of the £100 odd to have a year's membership. So £200 gone, like that. We sat in the car for 40 minutes before a person stopped to help. He was so kind and tried to jump start our car. It wouldn't work, so we told him we would be alright. A little later on another person stopped and gave us an umbrella and an offer of a lift home. We had already rung Peter to say we had broken down and he was on his way, so we didn't need their help. In that very moment, i felt the kindness of two people and felt very overwhelmed by it. It made me feel the true meaning of Christmas. The RAC man eventually came, about 50 minutes after the breakdown and Peter came too. He told me that if we had rung home, they would have brought grandad who is a member of the AA. Gutting! Just didn't think! Anyway, Jared stayed with the RAC man while i went back with Peter to the house. What a nightmare of a day. Jared eventually came home after the car had been jump started back to the house. It was the alternator belt that had snapped.

We all ate tea and had a chill to calm down a bit. It was all a bit manic and panicy. Jared drove the Citreon back to Peter and Paulines and we went to Asda from there to get my bits i needed. It was busy! Thankfully everything i needed was right there at the front. I did have to wait in a queue for a little while, but oh well.

When we got home, i packaged up the biscuits i had made for friends and popped a pack over to the next door neighbors. Jared and i then went to the Carol service. It's so lovely to have some time to focus back on the Saviour, to sing praises to him. I knew i should have worn a skirt, as they asked all the sisters to come to the stand to sing, i was the only one in jeans. That's the last time i listen to Jared! Anyway, as i sang, i looked over at Pauline, who was sobbing in the corner. When i see that, i just want time to fly, so we can all be together again.

After the service, we all went back to my house to have blueberry pancakes, something that Philly said we should have for breakfast next year. It was nice to make and eat them. Definitely a new family tradition i am going to do from now on. The rest of the evening was spent wrapping last minute gifts, watching some TV with the family and tidying up for the big day tomorrow. I am so so excited, i think i might explode!

Ethan's stocking;